Another week is in the books and back by popular demand is the Week in Smoke – TGT Edition. I received a few questions this past week. The most popular question is what do I use to get my photos to look the way they do? I’m no professional or even amateur photographer. I’m that guy who owns a full featured DSLR but shoots in full automatic and iPhoto. Anyway, the secret to these pictures is courtesy of my iPhone and an app called Hipstamatic and all the in app add-ons.
The second question I received had to do with my secret to smoking outside in the winter weather. The winter weather explains why I had no video review this week. My open air studio (backyard) hasn’t melted yet. I’m an old pro at smoking in the cold and I much prefer it to smoking in the humid summers dodging flying insects. Anyway, my secret isn’t much of a secret. Its all about layers…
Kicked off the week with a Padilla Habano. An old favorite of mine. Its a consistent and a solid medium bodied cigar that ages nicely. I was sad to learn from our friend Charlie over at The Cigar Feed that the Padilla Habano is going to be discontinued. Time to stock up.
The San Lotano Maduro was released at the 2010 IPCPR with almost little fanfare. The series also includes a Habano and Connecticut wrapper version to compliment the Maduro. The Habano version was reviewed by Brian Hewitt and I think its the best of the series followed by the Maduro. Wasn’t a big fan of the Connecticut.
I’m a big Litto Gomez fan. Does he make a cigar thats disappointing to smoke. Its kind of weird that in our three years of covering IPCPR we haven’t interviewed him. Maybe 2011 will be our year. This little Cameroon wrapped gem was gifted to me by Mike Copperman. Mike recently sold his shop (Bethesda Tobacco) to the guys who own W. Curtis Draper. Mike is also one of the hard working members on the board of IPCPR and walks the halls of Annapolis and Washington DC lobbying lawmakers on our behalf. Like I said, this gem was gifted to me. Its the La Flor Dominicana Series 2000 that were boxed in 1999. Talk about being rounded out and smooth. Cheers Mike and good luck on your future endeavors.
Not sure what I can say about the CAO La Traviata Maduro that hasn’t been said before. Its a great cigar that has a classic maduro flavor profile with a very friendly price point. I hope the folks at General Cigar don’t fuck with either! Can I get an amen in the comments section? Another case of its time to stock up. Can I also take this opportunity to say how much I miss Jon Huber handling the CAO twitter account? The new guy needs to get with it…Social Media 101…engage and connect with your followers! Speaking of Jon Huber I wonder what he’s gonna do? 😉
Believe it or not this is probably one of the few (or even only) cigar that I’m not a fan of by Pete Johnson. Not a fan of the unfriendly price tag nor a fan of the “age it yourself” concept. I tend to like my cigars to be at optimal enjoyment within a few months of me purchasing them and not a few years. With all that said, I own a box of them and every few months plan on pulling one out and see if they are at their peak. Sadly to say, the Tatuaje L’esprit de La Verite 2008 isn’t ready for primetime yet but I can definitely notice a improvement from when I first smoked one 6 months ago.
I’m not sure the last time I smoked a NUB. I’ve gotten away from them ever since I was disappointed by the NUB Maduro. I guess I enjoy the classic original NUB line. My favorite being the NUB Cameroon. Really great first cigar of the day with a smooth, sweet and delicate flavor profile.
I’m not a big Padron or Davidoff guy so when I have $20 bill burning a hole in my pocket I always reach for a La Palina (and no its not because they are a supporter of the site). In this case I used my $20 bill to reach for the “Little Bill”. The Little Bill is my favorite size in the Family Series. Great balance of power and flavor with enough complexity that you won’t soon forget. I actually ran into Bill Paley a few times the past week and he told me that he’s working on the next series that will be priced around $9. If memory serves me correctly they will be made by My Father Cigars (Don Pepin).
You know what I love most about the Guillermo Leon Signature is that every time I smoke one I find myself enjoying them more and more. Thats surprising considering everyone was gushing over them at IPCPR but I really didn’t care for it then. As soon as they started hitting the shelves and I gave the Guillermo Leon Signature a try and its almost a night and day difference from what I remember of the first one I smoked. Great cigar by a great man in the cigar industry.
The Alec Bradley New York (ABNY) is only available in New York. I’ve only smoked one so far in preparation for an upcoming review and found it pretty enjoyable. Memorable? Maybe not but I did find myself muttering to myself something along the lines of “pretty good”. Much more reasonably priced at $8.50 although I don’t recall if that is before or after that abomination that is the NY tobacco tax.
Hey look! Another Cameroon wrapper! Have I ever mentioned that Cameroon wrapper is my favorite wrapper? The La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet is one of my favorite cigars of all time. God help me if I find a place that still has the original unbanded release of them. I highly recommend them especially the No. 4 and No. 5 sizes.
The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Dark Corojo made my Top 10 List of 2010 and its just a quality cigar. A cigar that I get so many chocolate notes from. A pleasure to smoke from beginning to end in every available size.
If you made it this far you deserve a reward for sticking through this long edition of Week in Smoke. How about 15% off your subscription to The Cigar Network Magazine? All you have to do is enter coupon code StogieReview when subscribing and you will receive 15% off any subscription.
A-fuckin-men to the La Traviata Maduro. Here’s hoping that Rocky doesn’t change the original 601 blends as well! Will be looking out for the Pepin blended La Palina too. Thanks for the work in the week in smoke, and thanks for the discount the mag sounds sweeet.
I received a box of the 601 Toro Maduro this week and the band has changed. The band is now bland. It also indicates the wrapper as Conn. Broadleaf. Something tells me that it was a Nic. Habano Maduro wrapper on the box I just finished. Haven’t smoked one yet as they felt spongy when I got them. Let ’em settle a bit.
Well done Jerry. A Pete Johnson stick that you don’t like ::Gasp:: LOL
I still want to steal this idea and participate as well but I don’t have a fancy name to differentiate mine from the others.
that series 2000 is a fuckin great smoke. I grab one of them or a leon jimenez 300 whenever I’m in the mood for something light.
I haven’t had the chance to try their lfd’s camaroon cabinet yet, but if its better than the 2000 its gotta be fantastic.
Nice week, keep em up.
I really need to get my hands on some CAO La Traviatas. I finally smoked a CAO Gold Maduro yesterday, and I gotta say it was fantastic. Lovin the Week in Smoke -TGT Edition!
I smoked a La verite 2008 that was aged in Pete’s buddies store in studio city CA. It was just flat out phenomenal, I paired it with a Maker’s 46 and sat on the patio at a Redondo Beach bar / restaurant. It was the highlight of my CA trip. Now I’m back in NY with the lovely weather and tobacco tax. why do I live here again?
Amen to that brotha! Im going to get a box of all my favorite CAO cigars within the next couple of months, I dont trust General, CAO will be another random General brand which used to be good within the year.
I can hear Pete deleting you from his cell phone now lol
I like these lists but honestly I am too lazy to do one every week. Now if I could expense a secretary I would be good to go 🙂
I like your regular DSLR photos better too :p
The La Traviata Maduro is a great cigar. I especially like the Intrepido size. Really hope they don’t screw with it. Another great CAO stick is the Brazilia. Someone told me that the blend may be changing on it but I have not been able to confirm that. Please say it ain’t so!
Retiring the Padilla Habano? Blasphemy! It’s the first cigar I smoked on my 18th birthday and every time I light one up, it brings back fond memories. Sad to see it go, but I’ve got 40 or so saved up in my humidor.
La Palina is made by Graycliff. Thanks for the TGT!
How about the Week in Smoke- Mr. White edition? Mr. White is the man in Pulp Fiction.
I meant Reservoir Dogs….